Technology experts are called upon to report and testify on data retrieved from cellular communications as well as computers. Cell phone technology expert witness Supervisor Special Agent Jason Warren testified for the prosecution in the federal RICO trial related to the slaying of Waynesboro, Virginia, reserve police Capt. Kevin Quick. A member of the FBI Cellular Analysis Survey Team, the expert described how cellphones are used to track a user’s location.

Securities fraud expert witnesses may consult and testify on the illegal process of convincing others to make investments in the stock market based on false information. These cases may involve mortgage backed securities, asset backed securities, as well as other types of securities and investments. The Justice Department today announced that Morgan Stanley will pay a $2.6B penalty to resolve claims related to Morgan Stanley’s marketing, sale and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities. Morgan Stanley acknowledged in writing that it failed to disclose critical information to prospective investors about the quality of the mortgage loans underlying its RMBS and about its due diligence practices. Investors, including federally insured financial institutions, suffered billions of dollars in losses from investing in RMBS issued by Morgan Stanley in 2006 and 2007.

Forensic accounting expert witness Roger Siefert testified on behalf of Domenico and Eleanore De Sole in the fraud case against art gallery Knoedler & Co. and its past president Ann Freedman. Once New York’s oldest art gallery, the business closed its doors in 2011 after being accused of selling fake paintings. The De Soles have been seeking $25 million from Ms. Freedman and Knoedler & Co.

Lumber Liquidators pleaded guilty today for violations of the Lacey Act and will pay $10M in fines and penalties. The DOJ investigation found that Lumber Liquidators smuggled illegal wood from the Russian Far East. The company was found guilty of the felony for entry of goods by means of false statements and four misdemeanor counts of violating the Lacey Act. Lumber Liquidators has been placed on a 5 year probationary period to implement an environmental compliance plan.

Video game expert witnesses are experienced with several areas of technology, including software engineering, electronics, software patents, user interface, game play, and hardware engineering. These technology experts may consult on consumer electronics as well as the video game industry.

New Zealand Judge Nevin Dawson has said that Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom can be extradited to the US to face charges that include copyright infringement, racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering. Dotcom’s US attorney said expert witnesses in US extradition law, mass data storage and file-sharing will help them fight the case. US authorities state that Megaupload paid users to upload pirated films and music for profit. US film studios and record companies claim the file sharing site cost them more than $500M.

Attorneys representing Motorola and Fujifilm have requested U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick reverse a jury verdict and $10.2 million in damages. The northern California jury found that while Motorola did not infringe on three Fujifilm patents, the multinational telecommunications company did infringe on a patent involving the monochrome conversion of color images. Motorola’s attorney James Isbester argues that the $10.2M award is unjustified by actual royalty rates or projected sales. He states the actual amount is closer to $2.45M.

Business valuation expert witness and CPA David L. Johnston testified for the plaintiff in a case against the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Jeff Mercer accused state DOTD officials of harassing him after he refused to give an inspector a bribe in the form of money and/or equipment. Mercer testified that harsh inspections and denied payments for work done followed which forced him to declare bankruptcy. When his business closed, Mercer sued the DOTD for $12M.

The U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit vacated Jesse Litvak’s securities fraud conviction saying the lower court improperly excluded parts of his expert witness’s testimony. Securities expert witness Dr. Ram Willner, a business school professor and former portfolio manager, was hired by the defense to testify on how investment managers operate. However, U.S. District Judge Janet Hall disallowed his testimony. The appellate court found that if the defense team had been able to introduce some of Willner’s testimony, a jury might have acquitted the former Jefferies & Company securities broker and trader.